Is it possible to get lactose intolerance later in life

Primary lactase deficiency is the most common cause of lactose intolerance worldwide. This type of lactase deficiency is caused by an inherited genetic fault that runs in families. Primary lactase deficiency develops when your lactase production decreases as your diet becomes less reliant on milk and dairy products.

It's common to develop a lactase deficiency in adulthood. In fact, about 65 percent of the global population has a reduced ability to digest lactose after infancy, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Your genetic makeup has a lot to do with whether you'll experience lactose intolerance.